Chapter 17 The next day , Anastasia had barely made it to her desk when Jasper showed up looking like he owned the place . She assumed he was finally ready to sign the buyout agreement . Instead , he had the audacity to make demands . " You're coming to the Met Gala with me tonight , " he announced without preamble , " Excuse me ? " Anastasia looked up from her laptop , eyebrows raised . " Look , you've been my date to every major industry event for three years . Our clients know your face , they trust you . I've got several million - dollar deals hanging in the balance , and if I suddenly show up with someone new , it's going to raise red flags . " His tone was purely transactional - like she was a business asset he could still deploy . " This is strictly professional . One last appearance to maintain client relationships , then we're done . " Anastasia considered telling him to go fuck himself , but decided one final evening wasn't worth the fight . " Fine . But this is it - last time . " She immediately texted Cassian about the work obligation . When Cassian's phone buzzed during his board meeting , he glanced at the message and felt his mouth curve into an involuntary smile . The Met Gala ? The same event his assistant had mentioned this morning ? He'd planned to skip it - being practically newlyweds and all . But if his wife was attending , maybe he should make an appearance . " Phillips , clear my schedule . I'm going to the Met Gala tonight after all . " 16:48 Dumped Today , Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding in a Tuenon Chapter 17 Phillips Roger stared at his boss like he'd grown a second head . Cassian Rhodes never changed his mind about social events . Ever . And he'd definitely never smiled while reading a text message before , Had the world tilted off its axis ? After work , Anastasia walked outside to find Jasper's Mercedes waiting with the engine running . As she approached , the back door opened to reveal Valeria's perfectly contoured face . " Ana ! Hope you don't mind the company ! " Valeria's smile was pure sugar with a razor blade hidden inside . " Jasper thought it would be good for me to network with some industry people . You know , for my future career . " Anastasia felt cold satisfaction wash over her . She'd predicted this pathetic power play . " Mind ? Why would I care ? You're not my problem anymore . " Her tone was conversational ice . Valeria's practiced sweetness cracked slightly . " Come on , Ana . We're practically sisters now . " " Sisters ? " Anastasia's laugh was sharp enough to cut glass . " Valeria , I disowned the Kingsley family years ago . Don't project your daddy issues onto me . " Valeria's face went white , but before she could respond , Jasper leaned forward with obvious irritation . " Get in the fucking car , Ana . We're already late . " His tone was dismissive - like she was an employee he was tired of managing . Anastasia slid into the passenger seat without comment . Valeria immediately switched to wounded victim mode , giving Jasper tragic eyes . " I brought Valeria for networking purposes , " Jasper explained with cold detachment . " She's transitioning into a design role . Don't make this about our personal shit . " Anastasia's eyes flashed with dark amusement . 16:48 Dumped Today , Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding to a Twoon 11.69 Chapter 17 Design role ? The same girl who'd literally stolen her work yesterday ? But their delusions weren't her circus anymore . The car ride was suffocatingly tense . When they arrived at the Met's red carpet entrance , their trio definitely caused a stir . Anastasia looked effortlessly elegant in a simple black Armani gown that highlighted her natural grace . Valeria wore a bubble - gum pink nightmare covered in enough crystals to blind aircraft , clearly trying way too hard . Jasper stood between them in his Tom Ford tuxedo , basking in the attention like the narcissist he was . Whispers followed them into the museum . " Is that Jasper Hale with two dates ? " " I heard he dumped his fiancée for the blonde . " " This is messier than the Kardashians … " Anastasia ignored the gossip and made a beeline for the champagne station . She scanned the glittering crowd , wondering if Cassian had actually decided to show up . Meanwhile , Jasper was working the room with Valeria surgically attached to his arm , introducing her to clients like she was his prize acquisition . famia materialized beside Anastasia , having been dragged to the event by her company's partners . ' Ana , what fresh hell is this ? Did Jasper completely lose his mind bringing his side piece to a public event ? " ' Not my circus , not my monkeys , " Anastasia replied with a shrug . " Just grateful I wasted only three years instead of ten . " 16:48 D Dumped Today Married Tomorrow My Overnight Wedding to a Tusson Chapter 17 " Amen to that ! Hey , word is Cassian Rhodes is here tonight . I'm dying to see if he's actually as hot as the tabloids claim . " Anastasia's heart skipped a beat . He'd really come ? " Come on , let's go network , " Tamia pulled her toward a group of tech executives . " Time to make new connections . " What Anastasia had expected to be mind - numbing corporate theater was actually turning out enjoyable with Tamia's running commentary . She'd just finished a promising conversation with some venture capital partners when a voice like poisoned honey stopped her cold . " Ana ! There you are , gorgeous ! " Valeria approached with predatory determination , her smile sharp enough to perform surgery . " Shouldn't you be playing arm candy somewhere ? What do you want ? " Anastasia's tone could have frozen hellfire . Valeria's expression turned mockingly sympathetic . " Oh sweetie , don't be bitter . Jasper really does still care about you , you know . He talks about you all the time . I think you two just had some silly miscommunication . " The fake concern was Oscar - worthy. Anastasia actually laughed . " Miscommunication ? Is that what we're calling it when you fuck someone's boyfriend ? " Valeria's mask slipped for just a moment , revealing pure malice underneath . " Ana , honey , you're embarrassing yourself . Maybe it's time to accept that some of us are just … better suited for certain men . " ' You're absolutely right , " Anastasia said with deadly calm . " Some women are perfectly suited to being mistresses . It's like you found your calling . " Valeria's face contorted with rage before she forced her sweet smile back into place . " You know what ? You're right , I should embrace my talents . " Without warning , she suddenly 16:48 Dumped Today , Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon 11.9 Chapter 17 grabbed Anastasia's arm and yanked them both toward the museum's ornamental reflecting pool . They hit the water with a tremendous splash that echoed through the marble halls . Shit ! Anastasia surfaced , freezing water soaking through her designer gown . This psychotic bitch had completely snapped ! The commotion immediately drew a crowd of curious onlookers . Anastasia pushed wet hair from her face , glaring at Valeria with murderous intent . " Have you lost your fucking mind ?! " Her voice carried across the water with ice - cold fury . Tamia came running from across the gallery the moment she heard the splash . She should have known - wherever Valeria went , chaos followed . [ asper pushed through the gathering crowd and immediately pulled Valeria from the water , wrapping his tuxedo jacket around her like she was made of spun glass . ' Jasper , please don't be angry with Ana , " Valeria whispered through chattering teeth , playing the perfect victim . " I'm sure she didn't mean to drag me in with her . " Her performance was absolutely flawless - wounded , forgiving , completely innocent . Anastasia stared at them both in disbelief . This was exactly the kind of manipulative bullshit she was escaping . 16:48 ♡ ( 7 ) Dumped Today Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon ( 0 ) 12.09